Furloughed? Could be time for a career change

WASHINGTON – It could be a silver lining for some furloughed federal workers. Now could be a great opportunity to make that career change.

The government shutdown has left many federal workers with a lot of unexpected time on their hands. Some are scrambling to find a side job so they can cover their bills. Others are taking advantage of the time to focus on their own careers.

“You need to take this time and use it wisely,” says Amanda Miller Littlejohn, a personal branding coach. She says it only takes a couple days to launch a website and to tweak your Linked In profile.

Miller Littlejohn says instead of feeling sorry for yourself, seize this opportunity to find other sources of income. D.C. Is home to experts on a wide range of topics including one of her clients who makes extra money through speaking engagements.

“Figure out what it is that you have to offer and if it’s not expertise maybe you have a product you can sell. Set up an e-commerce website, so that your website can be working while you’re at work,” says Miller Littlejohn.

Some workers have launched their own websites during this shutdown, she says.

As a personal branding coach, she helps people find new income streams so they don’t have to depend on their government job. She says the idea is to diversify your income stream.

“People should be spending this time to figure out their next step, their next move,” she says, whatever that may be, including going after that dream job.

But she warns that not all federal workers are allowed to moonlight. But if you’re a contractor, Miller Littlejohn says, go for it.